Simplio Notepad vs LightNotes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Simplio Notepad
A minimalist notepad designed for quick note-taking without unnecessary features. It offers a clean interface, essential editing tools, and home screen widgets for easy access. Notes are stored locally and can sync via iCloud.
- One-tap opening
- Fast text editor
- Markdown support
- Home Screen widgets
- iCloud sync
- Export as text/PDF
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A notepad that opens in one tap and then stays out of your way. If you have watched the notes app you used for years grow into a database with AI panels, sign-in screens and a sidebar of features you never asked for, Simplio Notepad is the calm alternative. It is a minimal notepad for jotting quick notes, drafting an email, capturing a meeting line or thinking out loud — no account to create, no cloud you cannot turn off, no friction between the thought and the page. Open the app and you are already in a fast text editor with the cursor blinking. Type, paste, or dictate. Markdown, simple lists and checkboxes are there when you need structure, pin and archive keep the important notes within reach, and search finds the half-remembered line in seconds. Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets surface today's note at a glance, so the scratchpad you started on the train is still one tap away when you sit down at the desk. Export any note as text or PDF when you need to hand it off to a document, an email or a colleague. The interface ships in 39 languages with full VoiceOver support, and the writing app stays deliberately quiet: no ads, no analytics, no engagement loops, no nudges trying to turn a notebook into a productivity system. A simple notepad for journalers, students, meeting note-takers and anyone who wants sticky notes, voice notes and markdown notes in one place that respects their time.
LightNotes
This app offers a fast and private note-taking experience on iOS devices. It supports markdown formatting, secure local storage with Face ID protection, and offline functionality. Ideal for users who prioritize productivity and data privacy.
- Fast note taking
- Complete privacy with local storage
- Markdown support with live preview
- Face ID and passcode protection
- Offline functionality
- Export notes to PDF, HTML, and plain text
- Beautiful themes and dark mode
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LightNotes is the fastest, most private note taking app for iPhone and iPad. Take smart notes with markdown support, organize your thoughts instantly, and keep your data secure with Face ID protection. Perfect for developers, students, writers, and anyone who values productivity and privacy. FAST NOTE TAKING Instant response, even with large texts. Create, edit, and organize notes without delays. Built with Swift for native iOS performance that outperforms web-based competitors. COMPLETE PRIVACY Your notes stay on your device - no cloud required. No registration, no tracking, no data collection. Complete control over your personal information with local storage only. MARKDOWN SUPPORT Professional text formatting made simple. Full markdown syntax support with live preview. Perfect for technical documentation, code snippets, and structured writing. BEAUTIFUL THEMES Three carefully crafted color palettes plus automatic dark mode. Clean, distraction-free interface that adapts to your preferences and lighting conditions. SECURE NOTES Face ID and passcode protection for sensitive information. Military-grade encryption keeps your private thoughts completely secure from unauthorized access. MULTILINGUAL SUPPORT Full localization in 10 languages: English, Russian, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Portuguese and Dutch. Native language support for global users. NATIVE iOS EXPERIENCE Built exclusively for iOS with Swift and SwiftUI. Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem, optimized for all iPhone models. PERFECT FOR DEVELOPERS Code snippets, technical notes, and markdown documentation. Syntax highlighting support and export options for development workflows. IDEAL FOR STUDENTS Quick study notes, research organization, and offline access. No internet required - perfect for classrooms and libraries with limited connectivity. GREAT FOR WRITERS Distraction-free writing environment with markdown formatting. Export to multiple formats including PDF, HTML, and plain text for publishing workflows. PRIVACY-FOCUSED USERS Local storage means complete data ownership. No cloud synchronization, no server uploads, no privacy concerns. Your data never leaves your device. KEY FEATURES • No ads, no subscriptions, no registration required • Works completely offline - no internet connection needed • Export notes - plain text, and more • Minimal app size - won't slow down your device • Regular updates with new features and improvements • Responsive customer support and active development EXPORT AND SHARING Share your notes in multiple formats. Export to PDF for presentations, HTML for web publishing, or plain text for maximum compatibility. Seamless integration with other iOS apps. Download LightNotes today and experience the perfect balance of simplicity, power, and privacy. Your thoughts deserve the best note taking app available.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: LightNotes at free against Simplio Notepad's subscription. LightNotes also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.5). Simplio Notepad's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.5). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Simplio Notepad holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.
Simplio Notepad ships an update every 3 weeks, LightNotes every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Simplio Notepad | LightNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | 4.5 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bahattin Duran | Oppeldt Dmitrii |
Customer experience
Simplio Notepad
LightNotes
In-app purchases
Simplio Notepad
No in-app purchases
LightNotes
No in-app purchases









